This morning, I did it. Put my name on the Extinction Rebellion mailing list so I can attend all the coming protests in Melbourne that don’t conflict with work.
What took me so long? Actually, I was in the same place in January 2019, as bushfires raged across the country, disrupting our precious three-day holiday break. But then COVID hit, and my attention was hijacked by a more imminent threat to body and life.
Now the time has come to refocus on the crisis facing the planet, and the rightness of the claim made by three generations of youth — including my own 20-somethings — that the future is not ours to ruin.
Yet, my generation continues to ruin it — less by the denial, doubt and stubborn inaction that have characterised the past 30 years (though Murdoch’s disinformation channels continue to punch above their weight) than with new and unconscionable laws that jail protesters, make it harder for them to make bail, and increase the amount they are fined.
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But the inconvenient truth has not changed: we must stabilise global temperatures at 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial times to stop sea levels rising, temperatures soaring and ecosystems collapsing. To do this, we must declare a climate emergency.
We saw during COVID what this pronouncement can achieve. The dedication of resources, the forming of a National Cabinet designed to implement robust interventions at lightning speed.
But how to yank the government into crisis mode? The truth is that it won’t happen without radical action, including civil disobedience. Because we were told 30 years ago how to avert the climate disaster at minimal cost and inconvenience, but vested interests ensured our governments didn’t listen.
We’ve seen this before. In India, where Gandhi had to refuse to obey the laws of the British occupiers to indict the empire for its exploitation and impoverishment of his people. We saw it with American slaveowners and racists, who resisted equal treatment for Black Americans until civil rights leaders defied custom and police to conduct sit-ins at diners and march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge. We saw it with the right of women to vote, which male politicians denied for decades until suffragettes abandoned peaceful protest and began lobbing bombs.
When the going gets tough, those who cannot abandon a just cause get going. They put their bodies on the line, risking their freedom by breaking unconscionable laws in the hope their actions will inspire others to join them.
This includes 21-year-old Hannah Doole, who gained international attention for her abseiling action at the Port of Newcastle for which she’ll be tried this month, and 26-year-old Maxim O’Donnell Curmi, who spent the past four months in jail — plus copping a $1500 fine — for protesting at Sydney’s Port Botany.
How can we help these courageous people achieve their ends? Firstly, by risking arrest to join them in their most dangerous efforts. But what if that’s not you, because of age, temperament, caring obligations or a million other reasons you’re not willing to risk jail?
My idea is to sponsor a climate defender, in the same way we sponsor children in poverty overseas. Sponsors could follow and make public the journey of a particular activist — and should she get caught on the wrong side of the law, they could swarm in to provide moral and material support as required, as well as ensure her struggle is visible.
This is the least we elders can do. To show our admiration and support for the brave, mostly young people taking the risks to get the urgent action now required. So they know we’re not all indifferent to the mess we’ve left them, but that some of us are worried and really do care.
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In2019 I attended a SS4C rally at Civic Park, Newcastle, and was very impressed, not only by the kids, but by the turnout of concerned adults from young couples with babies in prams and toddlers in strollers, to Aunts, uncles, grandparents (I’m currently a great-great-uncle four times over). There were also a long line of adults watching proceedings from the street overlooking the park.
The concern is there and the current spate of puppets of the plutocrats know – hence, the repressive and draconian anti-procession laws and penalties recently passed in NSW. Just who do they think they’re fooling?
The Right of Dissent is the Linchpin of Democracy and will nevertheless prevail. I just hope it won’t result in broken heads and windows, burning cars and capsized police vehicles, but needs does as the Devil drives, and if that’s the sort of wake-up call the Pollies need, then be it on their heads.
Yes, did the same thing in Adelaide on the same day. Still attending when I get the time.
Sounds fine in theory. Just two points.
1. Action to curb emissions today won’t show up in the global temperature graph for a few decades if not a century. Me thinks we are already close to the tipping point because the rate of change is not linear and sudden changes in slow things like glaciers are happening right now. So we need to frame action and hence support from Crusties like me, around that, and not hold on to some dream that emissions cessation today will result in today’s youth not living in an unpleasant air conditioned world tomorrow. We screwed already basically but that’s WHY we need to take action..
2. Run industrial action and government policy through the TPP filter first. If those big multinationals lose business because of what TPP government did do or didn’t do, they have a case to sue the offending government for profit loss. Hence the draconian laws preventing industrial action. Et Al.
And it’s a very expensive et al.
Did you see the news item the other day?
The United States of A, High Court has overruled an Environmental Protection Agency case.Implying that every State has the right to apply their own rules.
Meaning, the USA now has virtually no control over emissions. thus free-slather, and good by planet.
That was a worry. I cried. I still hold hopes that we can pull it off.
3° is better than 4°.
At least less work for the air con.
I’m not sure about your time frame Billy, the earth has shown herself over and over again to be resilient. But hey even if you’re right, that just means we have to get cracking faster bigger harder, and get more creative about it.
The earth is resilient. It won’t suffer.
Agreed. We will be the ones to suffer.
Will the writer also accept liability if a critically ill child in an ambulance is blocked from getting to a hospital because of an extinction rebellion protest ?
Seriously? And if the ambulance was held up because of an Anzac Day march will you be suing the RSL?
An Anzac Day march would quickly make way for an emergency, a bit different if you have half a dozen people stuck to the street.
Would a Government accept responsibility for traffic blocking the ambulance due to poorly designed roads? Would the organizers of a Christmas parade be liable? I take your point – there’s a lot of issues with ER style protests – but there’s a point where desperation breeds risk.
A few weeks ago my wife and I were stuck on M1 for two hours near Taree due to an accident. We were in a mobile phone black spot (1bar, 3G) so we listened to local radio. Guess who was on? LAWSEE!!! It was the morning the harbour tunnel was blocked due to climate action protests. Well the outrage! How dare these ratbags, these dole bludgers! What about the fieries, the ambulances, the poor children trying to get to school. Equally outraged octogenarians rang in. On and on for hours. I felt like calling and reminding his brain dead audience there’s an eight lane bridge above the tunnel! What a hoot. A very amusing way to pass the time.
On a side note, it took the authorities about 5 hours from time of truck collision to finally put traffic on the other side of 4 lane motorway. Geez guys, it ain’t brain surgery.
Leslie you’ve inspired me. I love your idea of sponsoring a climate activist, so I’m putting feelers out among some of the activists I know – what a great idea! And I’m joining Extinction Rebellion on the 13th July up in Moe. I’ll see whether that kind of action suits this older lady, because I’m fussy about the positive energy of action taken.
Wonderful! I already have one older reader whose contacted me by email to say he can provide a regular generous financial donation so stay in touch!
Leslie – you’ve inspired me too! I have a 7 year old, so going to prison in order to highlight the plight of the planet is off the agenda for me, but sponsoring a climate activist is a wonderful idea.
Jennifer – you’re getting some downvotes, which is really disappointing. I can see how much you care about this subject and I just wanted to write in solidarity, so you don’t feel too alone.
Also, just in case anyone isn’t sure – climate activists know that the earth is resilient, they know that the planet will continue whether humans are here or not. They’re protesting in order to make it clear to the powerful people that control decision making that the time to act on legislating for climate change is now. They want to reduce human suffering as much as possible, and these actions come from a place of caring. Deep caring. I am in awe of these activists and the love they continue to show, despite the derision they constantly receive.